Sometimes Love Can Be Hard
by Teresia Smith

Teenage romantic relationships are, in a sense, a training ground for adult relationships, providing an opportunity for learning to manage strong emotions, to negotiate conflict, to communicate needs and to respond to other’s needs. Falling in love can be tricky, dealing with all the emotions involved. Nevertheless, through their romantic relationships, adolescents have the potential for a lot of growth as they learn about themselves and other people, gain experience in how to manage their feelings and develop the skills needed for healthy relationships.
Recently, I asked a young lady to share her thoughts on teen romance and relationships. Here is what she shared:

Sometimes Love Can Be Hard
by Teresia Smith

Teenage romantic relationships are, in a sense, a training ground for adult relationships, providing an opportunity for learning to manage strong emotions, to negotiate conflict, to communicate needs and to respond to other’s needs. Falling in love can be tricky, dealing with all the emotions involved. Nevertheless, through their romantic relationships, adolescents have the potential for a lot of growth as they learn about themselves and other people, gain experience in how to manage their feelings and develop the skills needed for healthy relationships.
Recently, I asked a young lady to share her thoughts on teen romance and relationships. Here is what she shared:

Addictions and Sexual Assault

by Tersia Smith

Sexual assault affects so many people; however, a majority of sexual assaults are not ever reported to the police. While most perpetrators will not suffer consequences of their actions, survivors can feel their life is held captive by the effects of this trauma, unsure how to break free and return to a normal life. Sexual assault can take a toll on one’s mental health. Depression, flashbacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common among survivors. Victims of sexual abuse are three times more likely than the average person to suffer from depression, and six times more likely to suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder.